Helping Older Kids with Bedwetting: 3 Things to Know

1. Implement treatment even if they do not seem motivated or bothered by the wetting.

Sometimes children, age 10-teen, feel hopeless that there is a solution. You may have already unsuccessfully tried some things, such as limiting night fluids, urinating twice before bed, setting an alarm clock, or medications. Confidence can be eroded as kids get older and "nothing seems to work. Your child might act like they don't care to protect themselves from further disappointment. Well-meaning relatives and even doctors may suggest no treatment; that you just wait "until they outgrow it.

2. They do not wet on purpose and are unaware when the wetting occurs.

The good news is that moisture sensing bedwetting alarms work as effectively in pre-teens and teens as they do in younger children. The sound and/or vibratory alert happens when wetting occurs. This enables the child to finally be able to make that brain-bladder connection. It usually takes teens a little longer to get to complete dryness, but a few extra weeks to change a behavior that has been going on for years is quite tolerable.

I've found that the key to success for teens and older children is to use an alarm that is easy to use and acceptable to them. The wireless alarms, like the Rodger wireless or Malem wireless, are easy to use and sound from across the room. The user must get out of bed to turn the annoying sound off. It is worthwhile is re-try using a bedwetting alarm, even if your child used one at a younger age. Trying a different style, at a different age, may give different results.

3. Encourage your child to be responsible about using and responding to the alarm, but realize that parents play a big role, especially in the beginning.

Your son or daughter should willingly and consistently wear their alarm every night. It can be part of the nightly routine, just like urinating twice and brushing their teeth. As well-intentioned as he or she might be, many older kids just do not hear the loud alarm or cannot think through what to do next.

The parents' role is to go to their room, remind them that their alarm is sounding and make sure they turn off the alarm and walk to the bathroom. The quicker they learn how to respond to the bedwetting alarm, the more quickly they will be on the road to dryness. The wireless alarms feature an additional receiver that can be purchased for the parent's room. It sounds at the same time as the one in the child's room and can transmit up to 75 feet.